Chinnor 40 Richmond 24

After conceding a lead of 21-5 at half time, Richmond twice got within four points of their opponents but in the end left themselves too much to do, as Chinnor added two late tries through their hefty pack.

Chinnor had won two of their three league games this season and play a direct and forceful style of rugby under Director of Rugby Nick Easter. The game attracted a crowd of just over 1800 and was refereed by Craig Maxwell-Keys.

Richmond had two changes to their starting XV with the welcome return of Josh Addams and the replacement of the injured Theo Bevacqua by Chris Freeman. On the bench Xavier Hastings also made a return after two weeks out with injury.

Richmond kicked off, facing the worst of a blustery and unpredictable cross wind. An early cross kick from Lewis Dennett nearly sent Addams clear but the first score went to Ampthill after eight minutes. The influential lock Jamie Campbell made good ground to get his side on the edge of the 22. Scrum half Luke Carter then attempted a grubber kick which was very well retrieved by winger Ben Currie who touched down near the posts. Australian fly half Liam Richman added the conversion.

The set scrums were well contested with Luke Spring prominent as ever. Chinnor’s strength was their line out which provided a regular source of quality ball. Matt Marsh mostly used the box kick in the windy conditions. However, Chinnor were secure in defence, and the Richmond follow up was not precise enough.

Richmond’s best attacking opportunity followed an outstanding break by Iwan Coyle who ran some forty metres to get close to the posts. He did well to retain possession until support arrived, but the pack could not force their way over despite winning a penalty and were eventually held up.

There were some hefty collisions as Richmond were forced back by the weight and momentum of the attackers. The improving Tom Riman took a nasty knock in one attack and was temporarily unable to get back to his feet. In his absence, Richmond attempted a long flat miss-pass but it was too obvious and was picked off by Richman who ran in from half way to take the score to 14-0 after 25 minutes.

Things got worse before they got better. Two successive penalties, one for offside and one for not rolling away, set Ampthill up deep in the 22. The line out was as well drilled as ever, with Scott Hall winning quick ball to set up Jamie Bourton and Jack Metcalf on a well worked drill which was completed by Chinnor’s man of the match Izzy Wharton. With the conversion again right in front, Chinnor lead 21-0.

To their credit, Richmond redoubled efforts at this point and opened their scoring after 33 minutes. Some inconsequential kicking by both sides drew no mistakes but eventually prompted Richmond to open up and spread the ball. Jared Cardew made the initial incursion before finding Addams wide out on the left. The winger had very little space to move in but rounded the last defender and chipped ahead to collect and touch down for an excellent solo try. In the tricky wind, the conversion drifted wide for a 21-5 half time score.

With a slight wind advantage, Richmond looked more fired up for the second half and for the first time put their opponents under some regular pressure. Riman created a good opportunity with a neat interception and grubber to the corner, but the ball just ran dead. Greg Kitson had another chance and got close before the bounce from a kick ahead just eluded him. In fact, the next score came from a Chinnor error and unexpectedly this was a line out mistake. Substitute hooker Alun Walker had only just come on when he was required to throw in to a line out following a kick into the 22 by Jason Baggott. Walker meticulously measured the angle of his throw, but it was the weight of the throw which went wrong, bypassing the array of tall jumpers. Harry Hocking made no mistake, and his try provided a glimmer of hope. Grieve’s conversion reduced the deficit to 21-12.

With the crowd audibly muttering doubt, Richmond returned to the attack. Marsh and Spring worked some clear space on the left before Baggott kicked midway into the home 22. Chinnor cleared from the line out, but Richmond stayed on the attack till pinged for a marginal tackle in the air.

However, when Jake Monson claimed the next line out possession, Richmond moved the ball wide at pace and a long pass by Grieve sent the hurtling Addams clear to the corner. Grieve added an excellent conversion and Richmond trailed 21-19 with fifteen minutes to go. Surely? ......but no.

After 70 minutes, Richmond conceded the seventh of eleven penalties, this time seemingly for not rolling away. Chinnor set up seven or eight minutes out and the result looked very predictable. Walker fired in a well-rehearsed low throw and the pack, like well drilled guardsmen, marched over the line. Walker was the scorer and Richman’s well hit conversion now made it 28-19.

However, the game was not over yet. Chinnor lost the ball at the kick off and Richmond moved the ball quickly, Paddy Case sending the familiar figure of Addams again haring for the line. The crowd muttered ‘try’ even as he caught the ball. Added to his excellent aerial play, Addams was the clear Richmond man of the match.

28-24 down, Richmond again had a ‘sniff’ but a scrum penalty on half way cost them dear. Chinnor kicked to ten metres and were awarded another penalty when the initial drive was pulled down. The second time, they made no mistake, Campbell the scorer from an offload by substitute Will Cave.

With three minutes to go, Chinnor led 33-24. Richmond now focussed on taking away a bonus point, as deserved. But first they needed the ball. Monson tried to steal line out ball but was pinged for obstruction. Richman kicked to around eight metres and, yes, Chinnor drove over from the line out, again using that practiced low throw. Walker was the scorer and Richman converted for a harsh 40-24 final score.

Back to the RAG on Sunday. All support welcome. Time for the sixteenth man.

Rob Powell commented afterwards: ‘ The first half was poor today, and we gave ourselves too much to do in the second half. At this level, if you’re not at your very best in terms of attitude and mentality, you get found out. Unfortunately, falling three tries behind made it a long way for us to get back today. I thought we had a real good game in the second half ,but we finished up plucky losers again against a team that’s once again run away with it in the end’.

Team: C. Grieve, G.Kitson, P.Case, T.Riman, J.Addams , L.Dennett, M.Marsh, C.Freeman, W,Goffey, L. Spring, C. Bell, F.Hosking, J. Monson, I.Coyle, J.Cardew
Subs H.Hocking, E.Nixon, B.Vaughan, X.Hastings, M.Wakeling, F.Charles, J.Baggott, A.Brosch

Tries: Addams (3), Hocking
Conversions: Grieve (3)